The other day I was talking to a male coworker in the elevator when it stopped and his male friend got on. They started talking to each other in these deafening voices. They weren't fighting or laughing--just having a "how're you doing?" conversation. I know that neither is hard of hearing. Why do guys feel like they need to talk so loudly to each other? --TB, Connecticut

I think it has to do with the social evolution of the species. In caveman times (see fire-building, above), males who made the most noise were the ones who attracted prospective females, therefore giving them an advantage when it came to mating opportunities. "Ooo-ooo-ooo I'm a big hairy ape who needs attention from the ladies so I might mate and keep the species viable. I also lost my key to the employee bathroom. I've had a lot of coffee this morning, can someone loan me their key ooo-ooo?"